UK winter medicine shortage warning

The British Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers has warned that planned 5% cuts in the price of branded medicines and a weak pound could leave the UK short of medicines this winter.

It says that medicines wholesalers have begun to lower stock levels in the run-up to January when new drug prices will be introduced. Chairman of the GPC’s prescribing committee, Dr Bill Beeby, said he would be concerned if changes to the pricing led to patients being unable to obtain the medicines they need.